And there was just one more left now – The sight of the first rays of the sun enlightening the Neelkanth peak – Hopefully, this too would soon be turning into a reality in a few hours from now… With these thoughts, I closed my eyes and went off to sleep.

Cold had gripped me tight, no amount of warm coverings providing any sort of comfort. Sleep was something that eluded me that night.

Morning greeted me with cold burns all over my face and a very very stiff body. Anticipation helped me loosen up my body a bit; to add to that, the enthusiasm of my brother who was already out of the bed and raring to go was mighty infectious too. I somehow managed to get out of the multiple layers of quilt and dragged my feet out of my room. Having read a lot of stories of how people craving for one sight of this ‘Garhwal queen’, and despite being in Badrinath for over a week, have had to return back disappointed… I couldn’t help but wonder… Will we be witnessing the sight that has dodged millions before us…?
It was still dark outside. No sign of a single soul out there, no movement – just me overloaded with 2 (or was it more?) thick blankets and my brother, wearing just a jacket (!). Though this was something we both had been eagerly looking forward to, even before the trip began, I must admit, that today, he was more excited of the two of us.

Renowned
mountaineer Frank S. Smythe described this peak

as one of the most
beautiful in the whole Himalayas...

Named after Lord Shiva, dressed in luminous white

and known as the Garhwal Queen...

The Neelkanth Peak

We stood there outside our hotel room; waiting… everything seeped in absolute silence. The only thing restless was the frigid frosty air piercing through. The lull was finally broken by a loud scream ‘Look Arti!!!’

For the next ten minutes or so… we did not move, nor spoke… just stood transfixed and gaped in awe and admiration at Nature’s own wonder miracle unfolding before our eyes …

The early morning rays of the sun lighting up the Neelkanth Peak in Badrinath

The first rays of the morning sun slowly wiped away the mist… transforming a lifeless stone into a glittering jewel…in its pristine glory! The cap of the great mountain lit up, like those lamps of the Diwali festival… Diwali in Badrinath was not yet over…! Nature’s celebrations had just begun!

The Neelkanth peak is said to resemble the looks of Lord Ganesha,

the God with the elephant head and trunk

(Can you figure that out in any of the above photos?)

Aaahhh! What a sight it was… a true spectacle… can never ever be captured! What a mesmerizing feeling it was… beyond my power to describe it in words…....

Aarti ji your blog reminded me of the journey to Kedar Nath. We could not visit Badrinath that time because of land slide and road blokage. The pictures Of Neelkanth peak are excellent. Thamks for visiting my blog.

Hi, Arti.You are lucky to be able to see majestic peek like big diamond. Though your blog I could hold Himalayan mountains in awe. I want to see it really. Thank you for sharing Neelkanth Peak.Have a nice day!

Hi Artithis is magic, seeing the glow of the sun on Neelkanth Peak. you are blessed to have witnessed it. I love how you relate to us the cold, and your face burns, etc. nicely descriptive. I'm having some trouble seeing the elephant head - I actually think the peak on the right looks like it! but I'm delighted to look at your wonderful photos. you've just added to my desire to make this trek and I very much appreciate your sharing this journey with us Arti. I hope you have a fabulous week.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO VISIT and this is quite an amazing chronicle of a journey rarely taken by most people! The tranquility, the pain, the AWE and the challenge....not to mention the COLD!!!! This is amazing. One can most DEFINITELY gain a lot of INSIGHT and retrospective musings from such a trek!!! BRAVO!!!!

Since I havent been to trekking in the Garhwal Himalayas, I am afraid I wont be able to be of much help to you in this regard but you could check out with the GMVN tour operators run by the Government of Uttarakhand for more details and assistance on this.

Arti, your words made me feel as if I were there with you, waiting for the moment holding my breath and standing in awe. Neelkanth Peak sparkling in the morning sun is no comparison with any jewels. Thank you for sharing this wonder of nature, or manifestation of God. Have a nice weekend.

Dear ArtiThank you for your comment and reminder to see this. I just missed it on the dashboard...But couldnt have missed it permanently as I keep on reading your postings.Awesome photo. In may trips to Badrinath , Nilkanth was always cloud bound and could never see it so far. My trips were always in deadly monsoon time as that is the time to go to Valley of flowers. October/Nov is the best time to see Nilkantha.I saw Frank Smythe's name, have you read his book " The valley of flowers"...? Now I guess you are concluding the great Jatra! So I am going to read from the 1st episode.Have a nice weekend and thank you so much for this great treat.

soory... am late... having lot of work these days and so i'm bale to read only in the weekend...the post is as good as it always is...the neelkanth peak is amazing... i haven't seen anything like this before... sun falling on the snow... fantastic sight and amazing photography...

it reminds of sunrise at tiger hill darjeeling...it was such an amazing feeling waiting and then within 3 minutes the sun rose and it was mother nature' way of saying....that she is the best director of them all!!!

The mountain peak is just amazing! You were certainly there at the exact right time , and thank you for getting up early for that -- and for sharing it with us. I didn't see the Elephant God in it, but I am sure some did.

@Ms Becky It is not the peak on the right but the main peak that is supposed to resemble the elephant headed God ganesha. Even I had difficulty to figure that out and hence had asked you all. Thank you for looking through the pics :)

@Kavita Am glad my pictures could touch you…

@Ushnishda Thank you very much for the appreciation. I have heard of him too in connection with the Valley of Flowers but have not got a chance to read his book. Will try to get my hands on it some time soon! Yes, the yatra is about to conclude in a few posts from now..

@Sallie Yes, it’s a bit difficult to figure it out especially with the sun lighting it up so brightly but Ms. Becky and magiceye did manage to see it.

@Angeli My pleasure entirely :)

@magiceye Thank you very much for looking through. I was really having trouble in figuring this out and hence wanted to know if anyone here could see that. Yes, I think 2nd last pic does give a glimpse of Lord Ganesha. Thank you for helping me out :)

@ALL Thank you very very much for all your wonderful comments and appreciation. Being in the company of nature is indeed a feeling that is hard to put down in words and this is one experience which will always remain fresh in my mind and forever etched in the heart! Thank you once again everyone :)

you have a lovely blog…I like your writings and words...Please check out my blog.I am having a Giveaway in my blog..Please check it out and partcipate in that..http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-bounty-chocolate-and-giveaway.html

Hello Arti, I stumbled upon your site today while looking more deeply into the various places I will be visiting this October on the yatra my Teacher is leading "In the Footsteps of Ma". I just wanted to thank you for the insightful and beautifully-documented posts! Those mountain peak shots are absolutely unspeakable. I will surely be returning for more.

@ Zephyr, HarshaIt is indeed difficult spotting the Ganesha, even I could not hence I asked if anyone else could...Magic eye could, a bit in the second last pic...And am glad to see you here after some time zephyr, keep dropping by:)

the first one i commented after being totally blown over by the photos.this one, i think would be more comprehensible :PNature's Diwali?? oh YEAH. only that this is a much much more beautiful and pristine form of that.And i totally agree with Mr.Smythe. This peak is truly beautiful. Never been to this place(my relatives have though) but seeing these pictures kinda makes me think about dropping my idea of becoming a professor and take up travelling!!there is so much beauty is your photographs Arti Di!!! smiles :)

That must have One Amazing Spectacle Arti!!! If the snaps are so impressive what would it be like to watch that in person!!!! Nice to have you back after the break Arti...and I had been on a short one, unintended though.

hey , how can i reach there from haridwar or rishikesh i'm planning my trip , this december but i have no idea how to reach there as i'm confused bewtween the neelkanth temple and neelkanth mountain? do both have the same history about the venom which shivji drank?and is it possible to trek there as i have no trekking experience .please suggest me a route from hardiwar so that my journey can be useful Thanks in advance :)

The Neelkanth Temple where Lord Shiva drank poison is situated around 20 kilometers from Rishikesh. The Neelkanth Peak on the other hand is visible from Badrinath. Both are different places. To know about the Neelkanth Temple and the trek you might like to read this article - http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.in/2012/02/wanderlust-neelkanth-mahadev-temple.html

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My Yatra Diary...

I love traveling to spiritual destinations in India and chronicle them in my diary here. Complete with extensive description that includes delightful photographs, places to stay and eat, shopping and much more, the blog aims to help those planning to make a trip to these places or simply provide a virtual tour to the rest.
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